Jitesh Purabia helps ICICI to beat Kotak Mahindra by 47 runs
The Christmas eve was power-packed with two high octane cricket matches that were played at MIG Bandra, Mumbai as a part of Automotive Cricket League T20 2018-19. The two big private banks; ICICI and Kotak Mahindra locked horns against each other on Tuesday at MIG Bandra. Winning the toss and electing to field first, Kotak conceded 173 runs in 20 overs picking up seven wickets. ICICI’s opening pair of Jitesh Purabia (65) and Gaurav Pradhan (24) stitched a solid partnership of 94 runs in 11.1 overs, and set the tone of the innings. Purabia struck a delightful 65 off 42 balls, smacking eight boundaries and two sixes. The right hand bat timed the ball really well, and scored freely off the spinners and pacers. Middle order bat Kuldeep Panda played a cameo scoring 34 off 20, pushing the ICICI’s score to a massive 173. In reply, Mayur Ghag was the pick of the bowlers for Kotak Mahindra, as he scalped 3-18 in his four overs and received good help from Nishikant Sawant who chipped in with 2-22 in his four overs.
Chasing a daunting target of 174, it was important for Kotak Mahindra to get off to a steady start. However, opening bat Nishikant Sawant fell cheaply for a duck in the very first over of the second innings. Apart from the other opening bat RugvedChaudhari (25) and middle order batsman Upendra (42), none of the players from Kotak Mahindra looked in shape. ICICI’s bowling was disciplined and they struck at regular intervals to build the pressure. Shaleen Gupta and Nikhil Mandavkar picked up couple of wickets apiece. Jitesh Purabia, who earlier showed his charm with the bat, spilled magic with the ball, as he picked up the wicket of the opening bat Nishikant Sawant. Kotak Mahindra was restricted to a paltry 126-9 in 20 overs, losing the game by 47 runs.
JiteshPurabia won the Man of the Match for his all-round performance. Purabia averred, “Early on, it was a little difficult to score freely, but as I got my eye in, I could capitalize. I got a life early on in my innings, and since then I was more focused to play a big knock. With the ball, I bent my back well and struck in the very first over of the innings. I am elated to contribute for a winning cause”.
Earlier in the month, Jitesh, who plays for Warriors at the club level, scored a delightful 85 (not out) off 45 against Borivali Bulls at Western Railway ground and performed even better against Khar Knights when he smashed an unbeaten 115 off 60 at Air India Sports Club during the Sportsjig Premier T20 League.
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